Covenant News

Two Venues to Host 119th Annual Meeting

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (May 6, 2004) - A special premiere viewing of the new Monganga documentary on the life of Dr. Paul Carlson will introduce this year's 119th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church June 20-23. Carlson, a Covenant medical missionary in Congo, was killed by rebel forces in November 1964.

"The story weaves together the Cold War suspicions between the White House and the Kremlin, along with the deadly insurgence of the rebel forces, and the price paid by Dr. Carlson and his family, other missionaries, his fellow captives and the Congolese people," states an overview of the new documentary contained in the annual meeting brochure recently mailed to churches. "The dramatic conclusion is a sober reminder of the cost of discipleship. It is ultimately a story of hope for anyone who ventures to be faithful to the call of Christ."

The 45-minute documentary will be shown at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 20, at the historic First Covenant Church where the three scheduled evening worship services will be conducted. (For a brief history of this historic church, please see First Covenant Church. The church is located at 810 Seventh Street South. Business sessions will take place at the Hyatt Regency hotel, 1300 Nicollet Mall, which is located one mile from the church.

There are a few logistical considerations in hosting business sessions and worship services in separate locations, observes annual meeting coordinator Eric Palmquist. The church setting was selected because it provides a much more worshipful environment than the traditional hotel ballroom venue, Palmquist says, noting that this particular church is one of the more beautiful edifices in the Twin Cities area.

The church is located 14 blocks from the hotel. For those desiring to walk, it is suggested that at least one-half hour be allotted. There also is an overhead covered walkway that goes from the hotel to within three blocks of the church. As with any urban setting, it is recommended that individuals walk as groups, especially later in the evenings when returning to the hotel following worship services.

For those desiring not to walk, shuttle bus service will be available between the two locations – tentative plans call for buses to be operating approximately 45 minutes prior to the start of worship services and for another 45 minutes to an hour following the conclusion of the services.

For those preferring to drive their own vehicles to the church, parking is available in the adjacent Metrodome stadium, as well as a limited number of spaces in a church parking lot and metered spaces on surrounding streets.

Worship services at the church are scheduled to go from 7 to 9 p.m., with receptions scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. at the hotel. "Obviously, a lot depends on when the services end, but we believe everyone will have adequate time to ride or walk from the church to the hotel and have ample time to enjoy themselves at the receptions," he noted.

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